When it comes to rare earths, everyone has heard of them more or less. For example, lanthanides, yttrium, cerium, neodymium, etc., although the content of the earth is not much, but its unique physical and chemical properties are indispensable in many fields. Its excellent optical, electrical, and magnetic properties are widely used in materials science, electronic engineering, and high-end technology.
Imagine that without rare earths, the display effect of our mobile phones and computers may be greatly reduced, and fiber optic communication will also be affected.
They are the core materials of green technologies such as high-efficiency batteries and environmentally friendly catalysts, and even have a place in the medical and agricultural fields. Especially in the military sphere. The properties of rare earth elements are used to improve the performance of weapon systems, enhance combat effectiveness and battlefield adaptability.
For example, the use of rare earth elements in critical components such as missile guidance, aeronautical engines, and laser rangefinders for tanks can significantly improve their accuracy and reliability. It can also be applied in stealth coatings and protective materials to improve the stealth performance and strike resistance of equipment. The importance of rare earth elements in the military field is self-evident.
In recent years, with the rapid development of science and technology and the continuous expansion of rare earth applications, the price of these valuable elements has also risen. When it comes to rare earths, we have to mention that China has long been a major producer of rare earths, and its reserves rank first in the world.
However, due to the manipulation of rare earth prices by the West in the past, coupled with our lack of understanding, the export of rare earths is extremely cheap. In recent years, in order to protect resources, with China's restrictions on rare earth exports, the global rare earth market has begun to surge.
At this time, Mongolia, with its second rare earth resources in the world, accounting for about 20% of the world's reserves, has naturally become the focus of international attention. In particular, the United States, a country with a huge demand for rare earths, has begun to make frequent contacts with Mongolia to explore the possibility of cooperation in rare earth development.
Mongolia is also showing strong interest in this, after all, it is an opportunity to significantly increase the country's economic strength. However, the relevant Russian experts were not optimistic about this cooperation and immediately raised a question: Can you ship it?
As a landlocked country, Mongolia is tightly surrounded by China and Russia, and does not have an inch of coastline. Land transport, whether by road or rail, passes through China and Russia. The high cost of air transportation, directly transporting a pile of soil, is very cost-effective, this issue has caused a lot of discussion, and some people even joked that Mongolia's rare earths may be "trapped" in the country.
Of course, some people propose that the United States establish a complete rare earth mining and refining industry chain in Mongolia, and directly extract rare earth elements and then air them out. However, this plan is extremely difficult to implement, requiring not only a lot of capital and time investment, but also facing challenges in terms of technology and talent. What's more, even if it is transported by air, it will need to pass through the airspace of China and Russia, which undoubtedly adds more uncertainty.
Mongolia is rich in rare earth resources, which is a huge economic advantage. However, how to translate these resources into real economic benefits while managing relations with its neighbors is a major test for Mongolia today.
For United States and other rare earth demand countries, how to obtain these key resources stably and efficiently is also a question they have to ponder. In this rare earth game, all parties are cautiously looking for the best strategy.